Softgels are one of the most requested formats in the supplement trade. Omega-3 fish oil, cod liver oil, vitamin D3, vitamin E and plant oils all sell best as softgels, and buyers in India, the Gulf, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America source a large share of them from Indian manufacturers.
But softgel manufacturers are not all the same. They differ in the fills they can handle, the shells they offer, their minimum orders, their lead times and the documents they can give an importer. This guide is written for brand owners, importers and distributors. It explains how to compare a softgel manufacturer in India, and ends with the ten questions to ask before you place an order.
Four Ways to Work With a Softgel Manufacturer
| Model | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Third party manufacturing | The manufacturer makes the softgels in its own facility; you market them under your brand. | Brands that do not want to build or run a plant |
| Private label | You choose a product from the manufacturer's range and launch it under your own label and pack design. | New brands and fast launches |
| Contract manufacturing | You give your own formula and specification; the manufacturer produces to it. | Brands with an existing product or formula |
| OEM / ODM | The product is made to your requirements, or developed for you from a brief. | Brands that want a product competitors cannot copy |
Whatever the model, agree in writing who owns the formula. At Infy Life Science, a formula you give us stays yours, and for a unique formula we sign an agreement not to make the same composition for another brand.
What Can Be Filled in a Softgel
Softgels are made for oils and oil-soluble actives. The fills brands ask for most are:
- Omega-3 fish oil in several strengths, plus salmon oil and krill oil.
- Cod liver oil in 300 mg, 500 mg and 1,000 mg softgels, or any strength on request.
- Vitamin D3 and vitamin E softgels.
- Plant oils such as evening primrose oil and sea buckthorn oil.
Omega-3 Fish Oil Grades for Private Label Softgels
Fish oil is sold by grade, which tells you how much EPA and DHA it carries. Choose the grade from the claim you want on your label and the price level of your market.
| Grade | EPA / DHA per 1,000 mg fish oil | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 18/12 (standard) | 180 mg EPA + 120 mg DHA | Value and mass-market ranges |
| 30/20 | 300 mg EPA + 200 mg DHA | Mid-range brands |
| Triple strength (45/32 and higher) | 450 mg EPA + 320 mg DHA or more | Premium ranges |
| 4x up to 8x strength | Higher concentrates, set per order | High-potency products |
Any other grade can be made on request. For the full private label process for fish oil, see our omega-3 fish oil softgel private label guide. We also supply refined omega-3 fish oil in bulk.
Shell Options: Gelatin or Plant-Based
- Gelatin softgels: made with bovine or fish gelatin, as your market needs. The gelatin we use is Halal certified, which matters for buyers in the Gulf, Malaysia and Nigeria.
- Vegetarian softgels: an HPMC (plant cellulose) shell that can be labelled vegan. Read our guide to custom and bulk vegetarian softgels.
Many fills work in both shells, so one product can be sold as a gelatin softgel in one market and a vegan softgel in another.
Sizes, Shapes, Colours and Packs
- Fill size: any fill weight on request.
- Shape: oval, oblong or round.
- Shell colour: clear or any colour on request.
- Pack: HDPE or PET bottles, blister packs, alu-alu packs, or bulk packing for importers who pack locally.
10 Questions to Ask Any Softgel Manufacturer
Send these questions to every manufacturer on your shortlist and compare the answers side by side. Here are ours.
| Question | Infy Life Science's answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Which certificates does the facility hold? | WHO-GMP, ISO 22000, HACCP, Halal and Kosher; manufacturing under an FSSAI licence |
| 2. What is the minimum order? | 30,000 gelatin softgels; 1,00,000 vegetarian softgels |
| 3. How long does a first order take? | 3 to 4 weeks from artwork approval to dispatch |
| 4. Do you give samples? | Yes, free samples before an order |
| 5. What is your batch capacity? | 1 lakh softgels per batch |
| 6. Which gelatin do you use? | Halal-certified bovine or fish gelatin; HPMC for vegetarian softgels |
| 7. Which documents come with an export order? | Batch COA, specification, stability data, Certificate of Free Sale, Certificate of Origin and certificate copies |
| 8. Can you support registration in my country? | Yes, we prepare the product registration dossier |
| 9. Who owns the formula? | A formula you give stays yours; unique formulas are protected by agreement |
| 10. Which markets do you already supply? | Softgels shipped to the Gulf, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Australia |
Buying Softgels for Export
Tell the manufacturer your destination country at the start, because label rules and registration differ by market:
- UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman: Halal certification and the gelatin source come up first.
- Nigeria, Kenya and other African markets: buyers need a registration dossier, for example for NAFDAC or the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, before the first shipment.
- Europe, the UK, North America and Australia: label wording and the batch COA are checked closely.
- India: FSSAI-compliant labels and the choice of bottle or blister for pharmacy and online channels.
Rules change, so confirm current requirements with your regulator or registration agent before you print labels.
The Brief That Gets a Fast Quotation
- Business model: third party, private label, contract or OEM / ODM.
- Fill, grade or strength per softgel.
- Shell: gelatin (bovine or fish) or vegetarian.
- Softgels per pack and pack type.
- First-order quantity and destination country.
Example brief: Private label omega-3 fish oil softgels, 1,000 mg, 18/12 grade, Halal-certified gelatin. 60 softgels in an HDPE bottle with carton. First order 50,000 softgels. Market: Kenya; registration dossier needed. Please quote and send samples.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum order for softgels in India?
It varies by manufacturer. At Infy Life Science it is 30,000 softgels for gelatin softgels and 1,00,000 for vegetarian softgels.
Can you make high-strength omega-3 softgels?
Yes. We make 18/12, 30/20 and triple strength softgels, and concentrates from 4x up to 8x strength, or any grade on request.
Are your softgels Halal?
Our gelatin is Halal certified and our facility holds Halal and Kosher certificates. For buyers who prefer no animal gelatin at all, we make HPMC vegetarian softgels.
How long does a first softgel order take?
Usually 3 to 4 weeks from artwork approval to dispatch.
Request a Quotation
Send your brief and we will reply with options, samples and a quotation. See our softgel capsules range or send an enquiry.
- Email ID: info@infylifescience.com
- Call & WhatsApp: (+91) 9023933030
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Infy Life Science Team
Sharing perspectives on Omega-3, nutraceutical manufacturing and product science.
